Opinion: ‘Meeting ‘heroes’ at the Fridge’

We all know that Peterborough is full of kind, loving people, who are willing to give up their own time to support those less fortunate than themselves. We also know about the vulnerable people in our community who need help.

The people providing it deserve recognition.

That’s why I created the Peterborough Coronavirus Heroes awards with the Peterborough Telegraph. It was a simple way of saying thank you.

Recently, I spent a morning working with some of those heroes at the Millfield Community Fridge, which is based at the Baptist Church on Seargent Street. Although I had been there before (pictured) – listening to the organisers, Carol and Giles, while dropping off groceries and donations – this was my first time working at the Fridge.

When I arrived just before 9am on Thursday, it was clear that the packing, organising and collection of food was well underway. Sergio, my new friend, had begun at 7.30am. He moved to the UK from Spain, 27 years ago, and had already swept up outside, from the church hall to Gladstone Street.

Carol put me front of house, so I could see and talk to the people using the food bank. These chats went with packing bread, offering hot drinks and handing out food and clothes. The volunteers work hard.

Over the course of the morning, there was a steady queue and 114 people came through the door. Most knew what to expect, having used the service before – and all were polite and clearly grateful. The COVID mantra of ‘hands, face, space’ was also respected.

Volunteers at the Fridge need communication skills, compassion, organisational skills and a huge amount of patience. I’m not sure I could keep it up, but they were admirably displayed by Ria, who worked tirelessly beside me.

After clearing up and making sure everything was COVID safe and secure, I had a long conversation with Carol, Giles and the volunteers. We covered the gamut of subjects, including COVID, foreign aid and how congregational prayer will work with restrictions.

Most importantly, we spoke about their work. I took away some key points:

- Millfield is constantly changing, with different communities moving in and out. Although there were some white British and Pakistani Muslim visitors to the food bank, they were in the minority.

- Homelessness is a truly dreadful thing. Some rough sleepers were open about their drug and alcohol addiction problems. Simplistic arguments about welfare payments and food banks ignore the complexity of the issues faced.

- What supermarkets throw away, each and every day, is almost obscene. As Carol said, we want full bellies not full waste skips. The food bank salvaged fresh vegetables, cookies, cakes and sweet treats, nuts and fruit, cheese and even fresh flowers.

- The Fridge is not a place of misery. There were smiles, jokes and happiness from volunteers and users alike.

- Food banks are able to reach people that – if we are honest – council or state-run organisations would struggle to engage. It’s not a bad thing that they exist. They show the love and care that exists in our communities.

- I would rather public money went to organisations like the Millfield Community Fridge than many other initiatives around the country that have patchier results.

Above everything else, what made proud and emotional were the volunteers. As well as Carol, Giles, Ria and Sergio, I want to thank Manuela, Robin, Dave, Robbie and Barbara.

Giving up your time to help the most vulnerable among us is something very special indeed.